Test Support NF-4E 66-0284

[Old Viper Tester]

F-4E s/n 66-0284 served as a test support aircraft at Edwards AFB from 1984 through 1992. She was operated by the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center.. She was NOT part of the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) chase flight, hence she did not have white upper wings when she wore the wrap-around SEA camouflage. 

 

Over the Mojave Desert, January 1985.

 

On our wing for a straight-in approach to landing at Edwards, January 1985.

 

Like all Edwards-based Phantoms, she got the "Albino Rhino" treatment in the 1987-88 time frame. Shown on the Edwards ramp in January 1989.

 

Before her time at Edwards, '284 was a test support aircraft with the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin AFB.

 

Thanks for looking'

Sven

[iainpeden]

@Old Viper Tester, Hi Keith, were the hard wing Phantoms former Thunderbirds aircraft?

[Stephen]

Great pictures, as always thanks for posting them.

[Old Viper Tester]

7 hours ago, iainpeden said:

@Old Viper Tester, Hi Keith, were the hard wing Phantoms former Thunderbirds aircraft?

Hi Iain,

 

'284 and YF-4E 65-0713 were probably the only non-Thunderbird Phantoms at Edwards while I was there. All of the ALCM chase flight F-4Es were ex-Thunderbirds - i.e. white wing Phantoms before they went albino (66-0286, '289, '291, '294, '315, '319, '329, and '377).

[stevehnz]

Super photos again Keith, especially like that shot with everything down on approach. Just brilliant, thanks.

Steve.